1. Before you play a round always warm up by hitting some balls on the range. I know it's taught to start with wedges and work your way to the driver but that's practicing. Stretch by using a swing weight or two clubs to get the blood flowing in your muscles. You can always use the GolFins Pro Swing Trainer.

Simply pretend that you got to the course late and had to go to the first tee with no warm up. Next, start by hitting shots simulating a real game. This will eliminate those first few bad holes we all have at the beginning of a round of golf. You would normally start with a driver when you tee off. Then hit your next shot based on how well you hit your first using the appropriate club just like a real round of golf. The old routine of hitting a number of balls with each club before a game does not prepare you for the game, but doing what I suggest will get you ready mentally.

2. Even the pros are nervous at the first tee. Use shoulder shrugs and other movements to loosen yourself up and get rid of nervous tension. Then tell yourself that it's ok to be nervous but, you are still going to hit the ball well. Have you noticed that your play is better when on vacation or after hearing good news. You can place yourself back into that place at anytime by recalling some great memories in your life. Smile more because you cannot have negative thoughts when smiling sincerely.

3. Try to learn the rules, chances are you have left strokes on the course because you did not know about a rule. Don't worry about the score have a partner keep the scorecard. If you are in a tournament let the caddy worry about the score and concentrate on your current shot.

4. Don't get angry and frustrated. You don't yell and curse at work when someone or something gets to you. This shows that you can control it. Control your anger and frustration and focus it on your play. When you play angry you add a stroke to every hole.

5. When you are waiting to tee up practice your chipping to paced off distances. This is allowed in the rules. Make sure you pay attention to the lie and the way the ball reacts off your club. Pace off specific distances like 30 yards because you will be using it and it will be saving you strokes. Similarly, when you finish putting on the green and there is no one behind you, practice a few putts making sure to take note of the green speed, feel and read for that hole. This is within the rules as well.

6. Make sure you have lots of water and don't forget to drink it. Dehydration has been proven to make a person lethargic and lose concentration. A tired player who loses concentration can have one bad swing that can easily turn into a double, triple or worse a bogey. Improve your score by simply drinking water.